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United States Patent |
5,535,930
|
Lee
|
July 16, 1996
|
Standoff assembly for mounting a sports rack crossbar onto a vehicle
roof-rail
Abstract
A standoff assembly, adapted to mount a sports rack crossbar onto a vehicle
roof-rail having an inner groove extending substantially along the length
thereof, includes a standoff having a base portion and a rack portion
fixed in a spaced apart relationship by an intermediate portion disposed
between a rack and the base portions, a fastener rotatably carried on the
rack portion and retaining the standoff to the sports rack crossbar, and
an anchor which is adapted to be adjustably receivable in one of a
plurality of locations along the inner groove of the rail and which
fixedly secures the standoff to the rail.
Inventors:
|
Lee; Douglas (8957 Sepulveda Blvd., Sepulveda, CA 91343)
|
Appl. No.:
|
549067 |
Filed:
|
October 27, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: |
224/321; 224/309; 224/325 |
Intern'l Class: |
B60R 009/00 |
Field of Search: |
224/321,309,319,325,326,327
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3724730 | Apr., 1973 | Olsen et al. | 224/321.
|
4757929 | Jul., 1988 | Nelson | 224/328.
|
5275320 | Jan., 1994 | Duemmler | 224/321.
|
Other References
Yakima rack pictures no date.
Yakima Racks Product Brochure no date.
|
Primary Examiner: Walczak; David J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto
Parent Case Text
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/196,566 filed
Feb. 15, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,762, which is a division of
application Ser. No. 08/045,468, filed Apr. 8, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,314,104, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
07/765,667, filed Sep. 26, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,911.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A standoff assembly for mounting a sports rack crossbar onto a roof of a
vehicle having an elongated rail mounted thereon, said roof having a
central longitudinal axis, said rail being provided with an inner groove
and at least one inwardly facing flange which is directed toward said
central axis, both of which extend substantially along the length of said
rail, the standoff assembly comprising:
a standoff having a base portion and a rack portion fixed in a spaced-apart
relationship by an intermediate portion disposed between said rack and
base portions, said rack portion having a hold down member having a
through-hole for loosely receiving the sports rack crossbar;
a fastener rotatably carried on said rack portion and adjustably retaining
said sports rack crossbar within the rack portion; and
at least a pair of screw-in anchors which are adapted to be adjustably
receivable in a plurality of locations along the inner groove of the rail
and which fixedly secure said standoff to at least said at least one
inwardly facing flange of said rail.
2. A standoff assembly for mounting a sports rack crossbar onto a roof of a
vehicle having an elongated rail mounted thereon, said roof having a
central longitudinal axis, said rail being a notched rail provided with an
inner groove and at least one inwardly facing flange directed toward said
central axis, both of which extend substantially along the length of said
rail, said standoff assembly comprising:
a single unitary construction comprising a base portion and a rack portion
adapted to conform to different roof curvatures in fixed spaced-apart
relationship determined by an intermediate portion disposed between said
rack and base portions, said rack portion having a hold down member having
a through-hole for loosely receiving said sports rack crossbar;
a fastener carried on said rack portion and retaining said rack portion to
said sports rack crossbar by biasing the rack portion and base portion
against the sports rack crossbar; and
at least a pair of anchors which are adapted to be adjustably receivable in
a plurality of locations along the inner groove of the notched rail and
which fixedly secures said base portion to at least said at least one
flange of said rail.
3. In a standoff assembly for mounting a sports rack crossbar onto the roof
of a vehicle upon which is mounted an elongated rail having an inner
groove extending substantially along the length thereof, the improvement
comprising:
a hold-down member for holding said sports rack crossbar, said hold-down
member having a through-hole for loosely holding said sports rack
crossbar;
a rack portion having an open receptacle for insertably receiving said
hold-down member, said open receptacle having at least one pair of
upwardly extending side walls which extend above a portion of the
through-hole of the hold-down member;
a fastener rotatably carried on said rack portion and releasably retaining
said hold-down member on said rack portion; and
at least one anchor which is adapted to be adjustably receivable in one of
a plurality of locations along the inner groove of the rail and which
fixedly secures said rack portion to the rail.
4. A standoff assembly for mounting a sports rack crossbar onto a roof of a
vehicle wherein said roof includes a central longitudinal axis and upon
said roof is mounted an elongated rail provided with an inner groove and
at least one inwardly facing flange which is directed toward said central
axis; said flange extending substantially along the length of said rail,
comprising:
a single unitary construction having a base portion and a rack portion
spaced apart in fixed parallel relationship by an intermediate portion
angularly disposed with respect to said rack and base portions, said rack
portion having a hold down member having a through-hole for loosely
receiving said sports crossbar;
a fastener rotatably carried on said rack portion and retaining said single
unitary construction to said sports crossbar; and
an anchor which is adapted to fixedly secure said single unitary
construction and said sports rack crossbar to said rail, said anchor
comprising at least one hook member attached to said rack portion and
adapted to be adjustably receivable in one of a plurality of locations
along the inner groove of the rail and adapted to be fixedly securable to
said rail by hooking onto the at least one inwardly facing flange.
5. A standoff assembly for mounting a sports rack crossbar onto a curved
roof of a vehicle upon which is mounted an elongated rail provided with an
inner groove extending substantially along the length thereof, comprising:
a hold-down member including a through-hole for loosely receiving said
sports rack crossbar;
a rack portion having an open receptacle for insertably receiving said
hold-down member, said open receptacle having a pair of upwardly extending
side walls which extend above a portion of the through-hole of said
hold-down member;
a fastener rotatably carried on said rack portion and releasably retaining
said hold-down member on said rack portion; and
an anchor positioned at an underside of said open receptacle and adapted
for releasably securing said rack portion to said rail, said anchor
comprising at least one hook member adapted to be adjustably receivable in
one of a plurality of locations along the inner groove of the rail so as
to anchor said rack portion to said rail.
6. A standoff assembly as defined in claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein said anchor
comprises a hook member attached to said base portion by at least one
fastener, said hook member being insertably receivable into the inner
groove of the rail so as to anchor said base portion to said rail.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of load carriers for motor
vehicles or the like, and more particularly to a crossbar load carrier
with mounting means to support the crossbars on a horizontal plane on the
vehicle's existing longitudinal spaced-apart tracks located on a slightly
curved vehicle roof surface, or on installed threaded inserts or an
adaptor plate conforming with pre-existing threaded inserts.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Slat-type adjustable luggage carriers for automotive vehicles have become
very popular;. Examples of such article carriers are illustrated in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,372,469; 4,588,117; 4,516,709; 4,261,496; 4,245,764;
4,239,139; 4,132,335; 4,099,658 and others. The present invention
integrates the advantages of the track or slat-type adjustable article
carrier with a unique load carrier capable of securing multi-sport rack
systems accessories. This load carrier is securely fastened to the
existing horizontal tracks or slats by mounting-means which conform the
rack or carrier crossbars to various vehicles' particular widths and
allowing for multiple positions.
Problems and difficulties exist with conventional sports rack or carrier
devices, which stem largely from the fact that a variety of racks will not
fit onto the roof slats or tracks of a vehicle since the vehicle roof is
curved. In some instances, straps with hooked brackets are used in
combination with the rain gutter on the vehicle roof to hold down the rack
or carrier. This device damages or marks the painted surface. Also, most
prior racks or carriers are not theft-proof.
Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a hold-down means
mountable on a curved vehicle rooftop in engagement with conventionally
installed slats or tracks so that the cargo on the hold-down will be level
in order to equally distribute applied load factors. Such a means must be
adjustable and adaptable to readily accommodate the cargo to a sloping or
curved vehicle roof. Also, such a means may be used on vehicles without
roof rack rails by utilizing threaded inserts or with an adaptor plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a load carrier for motor vehicles with the
mounting means for conforming to various widths and positions, being
securely fastened on the roof of a vehicle to the existing longitudinal
slats on the surface or to installed threaded inserts or adaptor plate
when no slats or rails are available. Two pairs of brackets or mounts are
securely bolted to the longitudinal slats or roof which determine the
correct width of the load carrier's crossbar and its fore and aft
position. Existing slats, when utilized, extend generally longitudinally
on the vehicle's horizongal surface and are an integral part of the
vehicle.
In one form of the invention, the pair of brackets each include a bracket
having a foot portion attachable to the vehicle roof slat and a rack
portion attachable to the underside of a load carrier or rack. The foot
portion and the rack portion are rigidly held in fixed spaced-apart
relationship by a vertical upright portion having its opposite ends
integrally formed with the foot and rack portions respectively. The rack
portion is provided with a hold-down having either a square, rectangular
or circular open-ended channel adapted to insertably receive bars or rods
of the load carrier or rack. Securement means are provided for securing
the foot portion to the slat and the rack portion to the rack bar or rod
inserted through the channel. The hold-down on the rack portion is
adjustable so that the cross bar mounting may be made level.
Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to
provide a novel mounting means for a load carrier which will conform to
the various widths of different vehicles which have commercially
successful slat-type article carriers as an existing integral part of the
vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mounting
means provided on the roof of a vehicle that provide a structurally sound
base for the load carrier and which will conform to the various widths and
positions of anchoring means such as slats on the roof of the vehicle,
specially installed adaptors or the like.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
mounting means for a load carrier which will prevent theft of the load
carrier and articles placed on the mounting means interconnecting the load
carrier with the roof of the vehicle.
A further object resides in providing a mounting means for cargo via
crossbars that are level with respect to a curved or sloping roof surface
of a motor vehicle.
Another object resides in providing an adjustable means in a cargo mount
which includes a floating hold-down member with a screw or bolt fastener
for securing the cargo level with respect to a curved or sloping vehicle
roof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are
set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present
invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together
with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with
reference to the following description, taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the novel mounting means for securing
the bars of a load carrier to the spaced-apart slats carried on the curved
or sloping roof of a vehicle;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a pair of mounts employed in the
mounting means of FIG. 1 illustrating the curved or sloping vehicle roof;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view showing the mounting means
used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the mounting means shown in
FIG. 3 as taken in the direction of arrows 4--4 thereof;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hold-down member used in the mounting
means incorporating the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 showing another version of a
hold-down member for supporting a non-circular cross bar;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another mounting means for securing the
bars of a load carrier employing adaptor plates when roof rails or slats
are not available;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional fragmentary view illustrating the adaptor plate
used in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting means taken in the
direction of arrows 9--9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of another version of mounting means
employed in combination with a roof mounted channel;
FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the mounting means shown in
FIG. 10 as taken in the direction of arrows 11--11 thereof; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a hook employed in the embodiment of FIGS.
10 and 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional motor vehicle is indicated by the
numeral 10 which includes a pair of parallel tracks, rails or slats 11 and
12, which are conventionally carried on the curved or sloping roof of the
vehicle. The tracks, rails or slats are usually secured to the roof by
conventional means, such as screws, bolts or the like. The tracks or slats
are employed for mounting a conventional rack, carrier, luggage or the
like, and in the instance of sports articles, such as bicycles, a
conventional rack may be employed which may utilize crossbars 13 and 14
that extend transversely across the vehicle's curved roof so as to have
the opposite ends of the crossbars terminate adjacent to the spaced-apart
tracks or slats 11 and 12.
In accordance with the present invention, mounting means or stand-offs are
arranged in pairs for holding the rack structure crossbars 13 and 14 in
fixed securement with the tracks or slats. In general, a front pair and a
rear pair of mounting means are provided wherein each pair includes a
stand-off or bracket, such as indicated in the general direction of arrow
15 which comprises a foot portion 16 and a rack portion 17 connected
together by means of an integral, angular intermediate portion 18.
Inasmuch as the mounting means 15 are arranged in front and rear pairs,
the rear pair of mounting means is indicated by the numeral 15' while the
front pair is indicated by the numeral 15. A hold-down member 23 secures
the end of crossbar 14 to the rack portion 17.
Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the roof 10 of the car is
slightly curved as is the normal practice in fabricating motor vehicles.
On the other hand, the front crossbar 14 is illustrated level and it is
the purpose and intention of the mounting means incorporating the present
invention to ensure that the crossbar 14 is substantially level even
though the mounting means is carried on a sloping or curved surface.
Referring now in detail to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that each of the
respective mounting means includes a bracket having its rack portion 17
terminating in a yoke with side elements 20 and 21. As shown in FIG. 4,
the side elements 20 and 21 are in spaced-apart relationship so as to
define a recess, indicated by numeral 22, into which a hold-down member
23' is mounted. It can be seen that the hold-down member 23' includes a
circular open-ended passageway 24 having a central longitudinal axis 25
which is parallel with respect to a yoke recess surface 26 constituting
the bottom of the recess and separating the side elements 20 and 21
respectively. It is to be particularly noted by the letter A that the
central longitudinal axis 25 and the recess surface 26 are parallel with
respect to one another. It is also to be noted that the elements 21 and 20
are slotted, as represented by numerals 27 and 28, so that the end of
crossbar 14 can be inserted through the passageway and through the slots
on the respective elements. Such installation will ensure that the
crossbar will lie on the central longitudinal axis of the hold-down member
23' and therefore be parallel with the yoke recess floor or bottom surface
26.
When the end of the round bar 14 has been so inserted through the
passageway and slots, a retaining screw or bolt 30 may be rotated through
the threaded opening 31 in order to draw the hold-down member 23' towards
the bottom surface. Continued rotation will ensure a tightening action of
the crossbar against the slots 27 and 28 at which point the turning of
fastener 30 ceases. It is to be particularly noted that the fastener 30
passes through an opening 32 in the rack portion 17 and that no engagement
occurs other than the compressing of a lock washer 33 against the
underside of the foot portion.
FIG. 4 further illustrates by the letter B that the surface 26 is not
parallel with a mounting surface 34 on the underside of the foot portion
16. This latter surface engages with the uppermost surface of the track 12
and is held in intimate contact by means of bolt 35 being tightened to
draw a lock member 36 into contact with the underside of the track. The
lock 36 rides within the elongated slot of the track 12. As stated
earlier, the track or slot 12 is a conventional installation placed on
roof 10 of the motor vehicle. Therefore, it can be seen that the
undersurface of the track 12 and the surface 34 are parallel with respect
to one another, as indicated by the letter C. However, it is to be noted
that the roof 10 provides approximately a 4 degree offset from the
underside of the track 12 with respect to a horizontal plane. This
horizontal plane is parallel with the longitudinal central axis 25 of the
hold-down member 23' and it is the purpose of the adjustment screw 30 to
bring the hold-down member 23' into engaging contact with the crossbar 14
in order to adjust for this 4 degree difference.
Referring now in detail to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the hold-down member
23' is as previously described. However, in order to accommodate a
rectangular crossbar, as shown in FIG. 1, the hold-down member may take
the form of a square or rectangle as the hold-down member is indicated by
numeral 23. The adjustment is identical to that which was previously
described with respect to the hold-down member 23'.
It is to be particularly noted that the pair of mounting means for both the
front and rear pairs are spaced laterally across the top or roof of the
motor vehicle in fixed spaced-apart relationship. When the bars 13 or 14
are inserted into the respective passageways of either hold-down member 23
or hold-down member 23'. accommodation is automatically made for the width
or distance between the tracks or slats 11 and 12. Therefore, a variety of
bars on mounting racks or load carriers may be accommodated without the
necessity for measuring or accounting for precise fit. Furthermore, it is
noted that the securement is fixed and that the securement is theft-proof
since the complete disassembly of the mounting means would be necessary in
order to remove the load carrier or any sports articles that may be
carried thereon.
In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the mounting means of the
present invention, whether it takes the form of the brackets shown in
FIGS. 5 or 6, provide a novel means for mounting a load carrier or rack
crossbars onto the tracks, rails or slats of a conventional vehicle.
Inasmuch as the crossbar may be slid through the open-ended passageways or
channels on either of the mounting means embodiments, the width of the
rack or the width of the slats or tracks may be accommodated. Furthermore,
it can be seen that the mounting means of the present invention
compensates for a slope or curvature in the roof 10 of the vehicle itself
by providing a floating hold-down member, such as represented by numeral
23' in FIG. 4, that tightens upon the end of a crossbar inserted through
passageway 24 when the fastening screw or bolt 30 is tightened. The bolt
causes the hold-down member to be drawn towards the bottom surface 26
which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passageway, as
represented by numeral 25.
Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated wherein a square crossbar 40 is mounted on auto roof 41 which
comprises a hold-down device 42 that is similar to the hold-down device
shown in the previous drawing figures. However, it can be seen in FIGS.
7-9 inclusive that the hold-down device is mounted to an anchor plate 43
having an elongated slot 44 for receiving a retaining screw or fastener
45. The anchor plate 43 includes threaded openings 46 and 47 through which
the threaded shank of fasteners 50 and 51 can be threadably accommodated.
Fasteners 45 and 53 are threadably engageable with retaining studs 54 and
55 that are normally carried on the underside of the roof 41 and the studs
can handle fasteners for a track or slat if desired. However, the adaptor
or anchor plate 43 of the present invention permits the hold-down devices
to be aligned with respect to the holes for receiving the threaded studs,
and for this reason, the adaptor plate is provided with the elongated slot
44. It is noted that the slot is countersunk, as indicated by numeral 56,
so that the underside of the fastener head 45 will bear against the
sloping contour of the slot.
Referring to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-12 inclusive, the member
60 holds crossbar 61 in position on the hold-down device 62 by means of a
hook member 63 which engages with an undercut groove or lip 64 carried on
an anchor or element directly carried on the roof of the car or auto, as
identified by number 65. The hold-down member 62 includes an enlarged
opening 66 in which the hook member 63 is located so that the engaging
portion 67 of the hook can be placed under the lip 64. The hook is
attached to the hold-down member 62 by means of the fastening bolt 68
which also serves to retain the member 60 in position on the yoke of the
member 62 as previously described with respect to the other embodiments.
In FIG. 12, it can be seen that the hook member 63 includes a flange 70
having a smooth bore or hole 71 through which the threaded shank of the
fastener 68 will pass so that the underside of the fastener head, as well
as its securement washer, will reside on the underside of the flange 70.
The hook portion 67 is offset from the center line of the hole 71 so that
access may be had to the bolt from the inside of the device, as shown in
FIG. 11. The anchor or plate may be a rain gutter or may be a separate
fixture carried on the auto.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and
modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its
broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover
all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and
scope of this invention.
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